The Ukrainian armed forces are struggling with a sharp increase in desertions, local media report, citing data from the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine.

Local media is reporting a spike in Ukrainian soldiers leaving their unit, temporarily (abandonment) or permanently (desertion). Data shows 14,000-18,000 cases of unauthorized abandonment each month. Last May saw a record 18,000 cases, and 17,000 abandoned their unit without authorization in September. 

Since the start of the full-scale war, 231,500 cases of abandonment of a unit and 53,200 cases of desertion have been initiated. 

In light of the situation, Ukraine is considering tougher penalties for desertion and abandonment, reports Do Rzezcy. 

This year alone, as MP Oleksiy Honcharenko points out, the number of criminal cases involving deserters has increased almost fivefold and may reach as many as 300,000.

‘Everyone is tired’ – Crisis grows in the Ukrainian army as desertions accelerate

Until Aug. 30, a special program was in effect, allowing soldiers to return voluntarily without consequences. Over 21,000 people took advantage of it. 

Currently, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is considering reinstating full criminal liability for anyone who leaves the army. According to representatives of the Azov National Guard, the reasons for desertions include the incompetence of some officers and the lack of rotation and leave, which prevent soldiers from resting and contacting their families.

In turn, Ukrainian Military Intelligence (HUR) reports that the Russian army is also struggling with mass desertions. Over a nine-month period – from November 2024 to July 2025 – over 25,000 soldiers and officers abandoned units in the Central Military District. 

Mass desertions from Ukrainian army, ‘critical problem’ on the frontlines

Desertions are reportedly occurring both on the front lines and in rear bases, with some soldiers failing to return from medical treatment or leave. HUR also recorded over 30 cases of defections with weapons or all of their combat equipment.

The reasons cited include unbearable service conditions, including internal persecution, catastrophic supply shortages, and the sending of soldiers on so-called “meat grinder attacks,” frontal assaults that incur massive losses. 

According to data from the Russian BBC and Mediazona, at least 133,000 Russian soldiers have died since the beginning of the war, with the average age of those killed just 35. 

Media reports also indicate that released prisoners of war are forcibly sent directly to the front lines — often in handcuffs.